HC Deb 26 March 1885 vol 296 cc664-5
MR. O'BRIEN

asked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether he has learned that William Orr, charged with discharging a revolver from the Orange Hall at Newry into a Nationalist procession, was acquitted to-day by a Belfast jury; whether it was sworn by the police that the prisoner flung the revolver out of the window, and after one of its barrels had just been discharged; whether the jury who acquitted Orr added an expression of opinion condemning the procession which had been authorized by the Lord Lieutenant; whether the further charge of riot against Orr will be proceeded with before a Belfast jury; and, whether the trials of the other Orangemen charged with firing upon the Nationalist procession will be entrusted to a Belfast jury?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)

Mr. Orr was acquitted of the charge of firing at persons with intent to wound. The opinion expressed by the jury does not, I think, bear out the suggestion in the third paragraph. The rider added to the verdict in reference to the Nationalist procession was— We feel it to be our duty to add that in coming unanimously to this decision, after most carefully weighing the evidence, we extremely regret that any such demonstrations should occur, being calculated to prevent that harmony of feeling which ought always to prevail in the community at large. I have no doubt it was sworn by the police that Orr flung the revolver out of the window, and that when it was found a barrel appeared to have been discharged. The case for the defence was that the shot was fired in the air after the windows of the hall had been broken by stone-throwing. All the other charges will, I am informed, be proceeded with in Belfast, and, as the trials are pending, I think it more proper to refrain from expressing any opinion upon the cases.

MR. O'BRIEN

Might I ask the hon. and learned Gentleman whether he is aware that since the National demonstration has been held an Orange procession passed through the town without any interference whatever?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)

I am very glad to hear it.